Crate



(No Modl.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. BROOK.

CRATE.

No. 424,172. Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

a ZZJ f ,7

WITNESSES INVENTOH:

A TTOHNE Y8 N. PETERS. Fhotu-Lilhugnpher, Wnshhlghm, no.

(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 2. J. W. BROOK. CRATE.

Patented Mar. 25, 1890;

i m. g a H. a h r Wm H E M y E w W A TTOHNE Y8 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WV. BROOK, OF LYNOHBURG, VIRGINIA.

CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,172, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed November 16, 1889. Serial No. 330,623. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES IV. BROOK, of Lynehburg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Crates, of which the described and claimed, whereby a strong rigid crate and one which may be readily secured, opened, and reused is provided, and

which crate will in use insure the passage of air to the contents of the crate.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my crate. Fig. 2 is a. longitudinal section on about line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on about line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-section. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the latch, and Fig. 6 is a detail section on about line 6 6 of Fig.2.

The crate is formed with end pieces and side pieces connecting the same, and is provided with a partition dividing the crate into compartments. In the general term side pieces I do not intend to include merely the pieces A A at the right and left of the crate, but the lower side or bottom B and the upper side or top 0, the latter being removable. I make each of the side pieces with a bracingframe and with battens or strips D, the latter being separated to permit the passage of air between them, and the bracing-frame being formed with edge bars E E, and the strut 6 extended diagonally between the opposite ends of the edge bars Ethat is to say, from the end of one bar E to the opposite end of the other bar. I make the bars E considerably thicker than the battens D, usually of a thickness equal to the thickness of battens D and strut e combined, so that the edge bars D will form in a measure supporting rails or heads at the edges of the side pieces, which will hold the crate with the battens up above the supporting-surface, so that air may ciroulate under the crate. It will also be seen that the provision of the edge bars D on the several sides of the crate insures a circulation of air into and out of all the crates from every side when the crates are piled upon each other in the transportation and storage thereof, as will be understood.

Byinaking the edge pieces thick they, in addition to 111- suring the circulation of air, form braces at to the crate. The strut forms a brace between the ends of the edge bars, and being made with its outer surface flush with that of the side bars forms therewith a flat rest for the crate.

The side pieces A are provided on their inner sides with vertical bars E, which form guides for the central partition G, and also operate to brace the sides vA and the crate at the center thereof. The partition G is formed with strips g and uprights g and is fitted at its ends to embrace the bars F so the partition may be moved into and out of the crate, and will be firmly held therein.

On the inside or" the bottom B of the crate 6c It will be seen that the bar 1) also The top 0 is provided on its under side with cross-bars C O O C 0 The bar 0 is provided with sockets h h to receive the studs II, projecting from the inner side of the end piece. The opposite end piece has an opening 2', and the bar G fits close to the inner side of said end piece and has an opening 71, which registers with the opening 2' when the lid is closed. The lid may then be fastened by a wire passed through openings it and secured at its ends by a seal; but it may be preferred to use the latch J, formed of a rod of metal sliding in opening 1", and also in openings in bars 0 and C and provided be tween. said bars C C with a loop 7', which serves the purpose of a handle for the latch 5 and also facilitates the connection of a wire or cord therewith, a suitable eye or staple J being provided on the top, which eye J is near the loop j when the latch J is in locked position.

end to,'respectively, the loop j and staple J, and then connecting the opposite endsof By securing cords or wires at one said wires or cords by tying, twisting, or otherwise, the latch may be secured firmly in position.

I provide the ends of the box at their tops 7 with irons or metallic strips K, which extend across the ends and for a short distance along the sides of pieces A, being nailed or otherwise firmly secured in place. These irons K serve efficiently as braces for the upper end of the box; but in addition and as an important function they form firm strong bearings for the end screws L, which are turned through said irons and the end pieces into the bars 0' and O of the top and operate to secure the lid rigidly in position. Screws L are also turned through the side pieces and bars F into the bars of the ventilating-partition and serve to unite the sides A of the crate firmly together and make the crate strong and firm in the center. Screws L are also turned through the side barsE of the top into the upper ends of the bars F and secure the top at its center firmly to the body of the crate. Ordinarily I employ these screws L, L, and L only when the crate is to be shipped a considerable distance or by lines on which it may be roughly handled. When applied as described, it will be seen that they secure the top at practically all points, so that it cannot become loose or displaced. At the same time the screws can be easily removed and the crate will not be damaged, so it can be used over and over again.

Cross-bars B B are secured to the inner side of the ends of the crate close against the bottom pieces 13 and operate to strengthen the ends of the box at its bottom.

The crate will be found useful in the transportation of fruits and vegetables and also for the shipment of eggs, live and dressed chickens, and the like.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isi 1. A crate having its side piece or pieces formed with battens, edge bars, and struts, the edge bars being equal in thickness to the combined thickness of the battens and struts,

and the struts being extended diagonally between the ends of the edge bars,substantially as set forth.

2. In a crate, substantially as described, the combination of the crate-body, the top having on its under side near its ends cross-bars which fit close to the inner sides of the, ends, the metallic strips extended across the ends of the crate-body,- and the screws passed through said metallic strips, and the ends of the crate into the cross-bars of the top, substantiallyas set forth.

8. The combination, in a crate, of the cratebody, the top having bars 0' C the vertical bars or strips F F intermediate the ends, the partition supported thereby, the screws L, turned through the crate ends into the bars 0 C the screws L, turned through the bars F into the partition, and the screw L turned through the top into the upper ends of bars F, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the crate'body having its sides provided with bars F F and its bottom provided in line with the bars F, with a bar I), the ventilating-partition fitted at its sides to bars F and at its lower end over the bar 12, such bar I) being of less width than the interior of the ventilator and the top, all substantially as set forth.

5. In av crate, the combination of the cratebody, the top interengaging portions being provided between one end of the top and the end of the crate-body, and the latch arranged at the opposite end of the top and consisting of a rod or bar coiled or bent between its ends "and movable longitudinally in guides in the 

